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With the point-of-care testing trial that wrapped up recently , Extended Care Paramedics across Wellington, Kāpiti and the Wairarapa were able to test and review patient blood test results within minutes. Testing previously done in a laboratory now facilitates the early identification of certain conditions and can inform clinical decision making.

Extended Care Paramedic Sam says paramedics can now gain more in-depth insight into a patient’s condition.

“The availability of rapid and accurate blood test results compliments our other clinical assessments and this additional information can impact both treatment and referral pathways for our patients.”

Point-of-care testing “fills in the gaps” of our patient assessment and gives us a deeper look into how our patients’ bodies are responding to and coping with their presenting illness.

Sam says the i-STAT analyser is an easy to use device that can test blood gas analysis, lactate levels, electrolytes, renal function and basic haematology.

“The device uses different cartridges depending on what the test is for and we currently carry two types. Once a blood sample is taken and inserted into the cartridge, testing only takes two minutes.”  

“For example, elderly patients with gastroenteritis [stomach flu or food poisoning] can rapidly become dehydrated and lose electrolytes; this can be life threatening.

We have the ability to give them fluids and medications, but without PoCT it is difficult to assess their level of dehydration and electrolyte dysfunction.

This is just one of many patient presentations that can benefit greatly from this testing, says Sam.

“Recently PoCT suggested a patient had a serious underlying condition that was not evident on initial assessment, prompting us to transport the patient to the emergency department.”

“This not just about caring for patients at home - it is about being able to provide a safer, more thorough and patient-centred level of care.”

Extended Care Paramedic Indi is part of our Urgent Community Care team in Porirua and Kāpiti, and says this helps provide additional insight into a patient’s health at the time of assessment.

PoCT supports our referral pathways and clinical decision making and this can reduce treatment time for our patients. The results can mean a patient is immediately referred to hospital, where previously they may have been referred first to a GP first, then to hospital.

“Helping inform our decision making on the best place for the patient, be it at home, their GP or hospital is a significant asset for both staff and patients.  We haven’t had this degree of insight before.” says Indi.

Results from the trial are now being discussed.